These custom residences were created out of the basic elements in architecture-light, shadow, massing, color, transition and how we experience these things. The program was extremely unique: Two urban lots, across the street from each other with the opportunity to develop them together. The intention was to create two light filled retreats that welcomed people to a neighborhood.

A residential Gateway.

The projects are located on two urban lots in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Both lots are corner lots which allowed for greater exposure and more opportunity for natural light. The first floor of each building contained the residential lobby, an indoor parking garage and a small commercial space at street level. Floors two, three and four were to contain two residential units each and each floor would repeat, with the fourth floor units given roof decks.

Solution

The design solution started with an urban box and the notion of “transparency” and how to make the residential buildings “light” in feeling and awash with natural light. In addition, the two buildings were designed to appear as mirror images but closer examination reveals subtle differences.

The first floor level is pulled back on both sides to give hierarchy to the residences above.

The residences are designed using very simple strategies. The exterior is mainly clad in only two materials; glass and cedar “fins”. The cedar fins serve as physical connector that extend not only from the second floor to the fourth floor, but from the interior to the exterior. They serve as elements pulling all the residences together to read as a single composition. The cedar fins extend to the interiors to create subtle contrasting surfaces and blur the boundary between the exterior and the interior.

Mixed-UseLocation: Chicago, ILPhotos: Marty Peters

"Gateway"

Program

These custom residences were created out of the basic elements in architecture-light, shadow, massing, color, transition and how we experience these things. The program was extremely unique: Two urban lots, across the street from each other with the opportunity to develop them together. The intention was to create two light filled retreats that welcomed people to a neighborhood.

A residential Gateway.

The projects are located on two urban lots in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Both lots are corner lots which allowed for greater exposure and more opportunity for natural light. The first floor of each building contained the residential lobby, an indoor parking garage and a small commercial space at street level. Floors two, three and four were to contain two residential units each and each floor would repeat, with the fourth floor units given roof decks.

Solution

The design solution started with an urban box and the notion of “transparency” and how to make the residential buildings “light” in feeling and awash with natural light. In addition, the two buildings were designed to appear as mirror images but closer examination reveals subtle differences.

The first floor level is pulled back on both sides to give hierarchy to the residences above.

The residences are designed using very simple strategies. The exterior is mainly clad in only two materials; glass and cedar “fins”. The cedar fins serve as physical connector that extend not only from the second floor to the fourth floor, but from the interior to the exterior. They serve as elements pulling all the residences together to read as a single composition. The cedar fins extend to the interiors to create subtle contrasting surfaces and blur the boundary between the exterior and the interior.

Mixed-UseLocation: Chicago, ILPhotos: Marty Peters

"Gateway"

Program

These custom residences were created out of the basic elements in architecture-light, shadow, massing, color, transition and how we experience these things. The program was extremely unique: Two urban lots, across the street from each other with the opportunity to develop them together. The intention was to create two light filled retreats that welcomed people to a neighborhood.

A residential Gateway.

The projects are located on two urban lots in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Both lots are corner lots which allowed for greater exposure and more opportunity for natural light. The first floor of each building contained the residential lobby, an indoor parking garage and a small commercial space at street level. Floors two, three and four were to contain two residential units each and each floor would repeat, with the fourth floor units given roof decks.

Solution

The design solution started with an urban box and the notion of “transparency” and how to make the residential buildings “light” in feeling and awash with natural light. In addition, the two buildings were designed to appear as mirror images but closer examination reveals subtle differences.

The first floor level is pulled back on both sides to give hierarchy to the residences above.

The residences are designed using very simple strategies. The exterior is mainly clad in only two materials; glass and cedar “fins”. The cedar fins serve as physical connector that extend not only from the second floor to the fourth floor, but from the interior to the exterior. They serve as elements pulling all the residences together to read as a single composition. The cedar fins extend to the interiors to create subtle contrasting surfaces and blur the boundary between the exterior and the interior.

Mixed-UseLocation: Chicago, ILPhotos: Marty Peters

"Gateway"

Program

These custom residences were created out of the basic elements in architecture-light, shadow, massing, color, transition and how we experience these things. The program was extremely unique: Two urban lots, across the street from each other with the opportunity to develop them together. The intention was to create two light filled retreats that welcomed people to a neighborhood.

A residential Gateway.

The projects are located on two urban lots in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Both lots are corner lots which allowed for greater exposure and more opportunity for natural light. The first floor of each building contained the residential lobby, an indoor parking garage and a small commercial space at street level. Floors two, three and four were to contain two residential units each and each floor would repeat, with the fourth floor units given roof decks.

Solution

The design solution started with an urban box and the notion of “transparency” and how to make the residential buildings “light” in feeling and awash with natural light. In addition, the two buildings were designed to appear as mirror images but closer examination reveals subtle differences.

The first floor level is pulled back on both sides to give hierarchy to the residences above.

The residences are designed using very simple strategies. The exterior is mainly clad in only two materials; glass and cedar “fins”. The cedar fins serve as physical connector that extend not only from the second floor to the fourth floor, but from the interior to the exterior. They serve as elements pulling all the residences together to read as a single composition. The cedar fins extend to the interiors to create subtle contrasting surfaces and blur the boundary between the exterior and the interior.

Mixed-UseLocation: Chicago, ILPhotos: Marty Peters

"Gateway"

Program

These custom residences were created out of the basic elements in architecture-light, shadow, massing, color, transition and how we experience these things. The program was extremely unique: Two urban lots, across the street from each other with the opportunity to develop them together. The intention was to create two light filled retreats that welcomed people to a neighborhood.

A residential Gateway.

The projects are located on two urban lots in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Both lots are corner lots which allowed for greater exposure and more opportunity for natural light. The first floor of each building contained the residential lobby, an indoor parking garage and a small commercial space at street level. Floors two, three and four were to contain two residential units each and each floor would repeat, with the fourth floor units given roof decks.

Solution

The design solution started with an urban box and the notion of “transparency” and how to make the residential buildings “light” in feeling and awash with natural light. In addition, the two buildings were designed to appear as mirror images but closer examination reveals subtle differences.

The first floor level is pulled back on both sides to give hierarchy to the residences above.

The residences are designed using very simple strategies. The exterior is mainly clad in only two materials; glass and cedar “fins”. The cedar fins serve as physical connector that extend not only from the second floor to the fourth floor, but from the interior to the exterior. They serve as elements pulling all the residences together to read as a single composition. The cedar fins extend to the interiors to create subtle contrasting surfaces and blur the boundary between the exterior and the interior.

Mixed-UseLocation: Chicago, ILPhotos: Marty Peters

"Gateway"

Program

These custom residences were created out of the basic elements in architecture-light, shadow, massing, color, transition and how we experience these things. The program was extremely unique: Two urban lots, across the street from each other with the opportunity to develop them together. The intention was to create two light filled retreats that welcomed people to a neighborhood.

A residential Gateway.

The projects are located on two urban lots in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Both lots are corner lots which allowed for greater exposure and more opportunity for natural light. The first floor of each building contained the residential lobby, an indoor parking garage and a small commercial space at street level. Floors two, three and four were to contain two residential units each and each floor would repeat, with the fourth floor units given roof decks.

Solution

The design solution started with an urban box and the notion of “transparency” and how to make the residential buildings “light” in feeling and awash with natural light. In addition, the two buildings were designed to appear as mirror images but closer examination reveals subtle differences.

The first floor level is pulled back on both sides to give hierarchy to the residences above.

The residences are designed using very simple strategies. The exterior is mainly clad in only two materials; glass and cedar “fins”. The cedar fins serve as physical connector that extend not only from the second floor to the fourth floor, but from the interior to the exterior. They serve as elements pulling all the residences together to read as a single composition. The cedar fins extend to the interiors to create subtle contrasting surfaces and blur the boundary between the exterior and the interior.

Mixed-UseLocation: Chicago, ILPhotos: Marty Peters

"Gateway"

Program

These custom residences were created out of the basic elements in architecture-light, shadow, massing, color, transition and how we experience these things. The program was extremely unique: Two urban lots, across the street from each other with the opportunity to develop them together. The intention was to create two light filled retreats that welcomed people to a neighborhood.

A residential Gateway.

The projects are located on two urban lots in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Both lots are corner lots which allowed for greater exposure and more opportunity for natural light. The first floor of each building contained the residential lobby, an indoor parking garage and a small commercial space at street level. Floors two, three and four were to contain two residential units each and each floor would repeat, with the fourth floor units given roof decks.

Solution

The design solution started with an urban box and the notion of “transparency” and how to make the residential buildings “light” in feeling and awash with natural light. In addition, the two buildings were designed to appear as mirror images but closer examination reveals subtle differences.

The first floor level is pulled back on both sides to give hierarchy to the residences above.

The residences are designed using very simple strategies. The exterior is mainly clad in only two materials; glass and cedar “fins”. The cedar fins serve as physical connector that extend not only from the second floor to the fourth floor, but from the interior to the exterior. They serve as elements pulling all the residences together to read as a single composition. The cedar fins extend to the interiors to create subtle contrasting surfaces and blur the boundary between the exterior and the interior.

Mixed-UseLocation: Chicago, ILPhotos: Marty Peters

"Gateway"

Program

These custom residences were created out of the basic elements in architecture-light, shadow, massing, color, transition and how we experience these things. The program was extremely unique: Two urban lots, across the street from each other with the opportunity to develop them together. The intention was to create two light filled retreats that welcomed people to a neighborhood.

A residential Gateway.

The projects are located on two urban lots in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Both lots are corner lots which allowed for greater exposure and more opportunity for natural light. The first floor of each building contained the residential lobby, an indoor parking garage and a small commercial space at street level. Floors two, three and four were to contain two residential units each and each floor would repeat, with the fourth floor units given roof decks.

Solution

The design solution started with an urban box and the notion of “transparency” and how to make the residential buildings “light” in feeling and awash with natural light. In addition, the two buildings were designed to appear as mirror images but closer examination reveals subtle differences.

The first floor level is pulled back on both sides to give hierarchy to the residences above.

The residences are designed using very simple strategies. The exterior is mainly clad in only two materials; glass and cedar “fins”. The cedar fins serve as physical connector that extend not only from the second floor to the fourth floor, but from the interior to the exterior. They serve as elements pulling all the residences together to read as a single composition. The cedar fins extend to the interiors to create subtle contrasting surfaces and blur the boundary between the exterior and the interior.

2154-57 Division

Mixed-UseLocation: Chicago, ILPhotos: Marty Peters

"Gateway"

Program

These custom residences were created out of the basic elements in architecture-light, shadow, massing, color, transition and how we experience these things. The program was extremely unique: Two urban lots, across the street from each other with the opportunity to develop them together. The intention was to create two light filled retreats that welcomed people to a neighborhood.

A residential Gateway.

The projects are located on two urban lots in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Both lots are corner lots which allowed for greater exposure and more opportunity for natural light. The first floor of each building contained the residential lobby, an indoor parking garage and a small commercial space at street level. Floors two, three and four were to contain two residential units each and each floor would repeat, with the fourth floor units given roof decks.

Solution

The design solution started with an urban box and the notion of “transparency” and how to make the residential buildings “light” in feeling and awash with natural light. In addition, the two buildings were designed to appear as mirror images but closer examination reveals subtle differences.

The first floor level is pulled back on both sides to give hierarchy to the residences above.

The residences are designed using very simple strategies. The exterior is mainly clad in only two materials; glass and cedar “fins”. The cedar fins serve as physical connector that extend not only from the second floor to the fourth floor, but from the interior to the exterior. They serve as elements pulling all the residences together to read as a single composition. The cedar fins extend to the interiors to create subtle contrasting surfaces and blur the boundary between the exterior and the interior.